These bright tacos take me on an instant trip to sunny Southern California. The recipe has been on my family's most requested list for years. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
![Cod Tacos](https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Southwestern-Fish-Tacos_EXPS_SDON17_30515_B07_06_6b.jpg)
Cod Tacos
![Cod Tacos](https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Southwestern-Fish-Tacos_EXPS_SDON17_30515_B07_06_6b.jpg)
Locals in Boston insist on eating seafood daily. One adored fish in particular? Cod. It’s flaky, mild in flavor, and delicious cooked in all types of meals. Sure, it’s common to find it stewed in chowder, fried in a fisherman’s platter, or stuffed in a sandwich. But it also tastes yummy nestled in a taco.
These cod tacos are doused in a creamy aioli and topped with shredded cabbage, juicy tomatoes, and a spritz of lime. The nice part? They take less than 20 minutes to prepare, so you can have lunch or dinner on the table, stat!
Ingredients for Cod Tacos
- Aioli: We whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, and taco seasoning to create a savory and rich sauce.
- Cod: We marinate and then saute the cod fish as a base for these tacos. Haddock would also work well here.
- Lemon juice: The lemon juice adds a fresh tanginess to these cod fish tacos.
- Taco shells: We use hard-shell tacos, but you can also use soft tortillas.
- Fixings: We rely on shredded cabbage, ripe tomatoes, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice to upgrade these cod tacos just before serving.
Directions
Step 1: Make the sauce
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro and 2 teaspoons of the taco seasoning.
Step 2: Marinate the cod fish
In a bowl, toss the cod with lemon juice and the remaining taco seasoning.
Step 3: Saute the cod
Grab a skillet and heat the oil over medium-high heat. Saute the cod just until it begins to flake easily with a fork, four to six minutes (the fish may break apart as it cooks).
Step 4: Assemble the tacos
Spoon the cod fish into the taco shells. Top the tacos with the creamy sauce and your desired fixings.
Cod Taco Variations
- Try blackened fish: Create a flavorful seasoning blend of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper and paprika to create a spice crust to coat the cod fish.
- Switch up the toppings: Instead of shredded cabbage, tomatoes and lime, top these cod tacos with crumbly cotija, pickled onions and cilantro.
- Make it spicy: Add chipotle seasoning or hot sauce to the creamy aioli for extra heat.
How to Store Cod Tacos
You can store the cod fish separately from the taco shells and fixings in an airtight container. It’ll last for one to two days in the refrigerator.
Can you make cod tacos ahead of time?
The next time you host a gathering, try this recipe for a taco bar. Make the cod fish in advance and store it in an airtight container for one to two days in the fridge. Reheat it when you’re ready to serve it alongside a bunch of delicious toppings.
Can you freeze cod tacos?
It’s ideal to enjoy these cod tacos fresh, as freezing them after cooking may affect their delicious taste once thawed.
How long do cod tacos last?
If you have a bunch of leftover cod tacos, you can store the fish separately from the taco shells and the fixings in the fridge for one to two days.
Cod Taco Tips
Can I use a different fish for this cod tacos recipe?
While we recommend cod, you can easily substitute it with another white fish like haddock, Dover sole or sea bass. Depending on the type, you may need more or less time sauteing it, so monitor it to avoid overcooking your fish.
Is this cod taco recipe gluten-free?
You can still enjoy this recipe, even if you have a gluten intolerance, as long as you use gluten-free hard taco shells (which most tend to be).
What can I serve alongside this fish taco recipe with cod?
Cod tacos taste delicious alongside cilantro-lime rice. You can also pair them with a refreshing salad, creamy coleslaw or crunchy french fries.
Cod Tacos
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 4 teaspoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 pound cod or haddock fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 4 taco shells
- Optional ingredients: Shredded cabbage, chopped tomato and lime wedges
Directions
- For sauce, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro and 2 teaspoons taco seasoning. In another bowl, toss cod with lemon juice and remaining taco seasoning.
- In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute cod just until it begins to flake easily with a fork, 4-6 minutes (fish may break apart as it cooks). Spoon into taco shells; serve with sauce and optional ingredients as desired.
Nutrition Facts
2 tacos: 506 calories, 38g fat (8g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 852mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
These bright tacos take me on an instant trip to sunny Southern California. The recipe has been on my family's most requested list for years. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas